Abstract: A waterwall heat transfer system has a tube block secured to a tube assembly. The tube assembly includes a plurality of parallel tubes connected together by a membrane. The tube block has a base section and a plurality of spaced ridges extending upward from the base section, the upper surface of at least one of the spaced ridges defining a generally horizontal surface. The ridges are spaced to define channels therebetween with the height of at least one of the ridges selected to provide a seat for the membrane of the assembly.

Abstract: In order to prevent the increase of NOx due to an excessively high combustion temperature and the increase of HC and CO due to an excessively low combustion temperature, by feeding an emulsion of a fuel oil and water having a water content suitable for the combustion state in cylinders to a Diese engine, there is proposed: A combustion parameter sensor (3) for detecting combustion parameters inside cylinders such as an internal pressure of the cylinder, an engine knock, an exhaust gas, etc. and a water charging quantity judgement/regulation circuit (2) for setting a water charging quantity to a fuel are disposed in a Diesel engine (1). A water charging quantity controller (4) feeds water to an emulsion formation apparatus (5) in a quantity corresponding to a water charging signal from the water charging quantity judgement/regulation circuit (2).

Abstract: An improved centrifugal air cleaning system including a fan, a fan volute defined, in part, by a curved outer wall and a base wall, and a deflector wall projecting from the base wall intermediate the fan and the outer wall. An air inlet port is formed in the base wall and is located between the deflector wall and the outer wall. The deflector wall includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion. The first wall portion has a curvature generally matching a curvature of the fan while the second wall portion diverges from the fan toward the outer wall. The first wall portion prevents radially projected particles from reaching the air inlet port while the second wall portion cooperates with the outer wall to define a restricted flow path downstream of the air inlet port that creates a relatively high pressure condition at the inlet port and injects substantially particle-free air into the carburetor.

Abstract: A liquid-cooled engine cylinder block wherein a plurality of cylinder walls forming cylindrical cylinders are arranged in series. The adjacent cylinder walls are joined together, and the outer circumference of these cylinder walls is covered by a water jacket wall. A passage for cooling liquid is formed between the water jacket wall and the cylinder walls in a direction perpendicular to the axes of cylinders. A guide rib is provided in the passage adjacent to the outer circumference of the cylinder walls so as to vertically divide the flow of cooling liquid. The guide rib comprises two guide members, one of which is inclined in an upward direction and the other inclined in a downward direction from their respective upstream ends. The cooling liquid in the passage is separated into upper and lower flows by the guide rib, and these flows combine a hollow area of the cylinder walls at the side of the cylinder joining member at the downstream of the guide rib.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for a dual compression and dual expansion internal combustion engine (8) that is compact, efficient, and has low combustion noise and emissions. The subject engine (8) includes a low pressure piston assembly (56) reciprocally disposed in an operating chamber (22) defined in a housing (10). A pair of opposed high pressure piston assemblies (58) and (60) are directly mounted on a pair of geared together, counter rotating, crankshafts (52) and (54) and reciprocally disposed in bores (178) and (186) of the low pressure piston assembly (56). The disposition of the second and third piston assemblies (58) and (60) within their respective bores (178) and (186) defines a combustion chamber (254). An intake chamber (144) for compression of inducted air and an an exhaust chamber (146) for expansion of exhaust gas are defined in the operating chamber (22) between the low pressure piston assembly (56) and the housing (10).

Abstract: A camshaft phase controller for an internal combustion engine controls separate intake and exhaust camshafts driven by the engine's crankshaft such that the angular phases of the camshafts may be varied by different amounts from a predetermined phase relationship with the crankshaft.

Abstract: Hydraulic equipment used for starting engines utilizing a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure. The fluid under pressure is supplied to an engine starter motor through a valve assembly without causing shock loads, wherein the valve assembly comprises a soft start valve including a tapered poppet valve and a pilot valve for controlling movement of the poppet valve.

Abstract: Disclosed is an intake manifold system for an internal combustion engine, which includes a surge tank for temporarily storing the air, an intake manifold for connecting the surge tank with combustion chambers of cylinders, the intake manifold having a plurality of high speed tubes for taking in the air from the surge tank and a plurality of medium/low speed tubes for taking in the air from the surge tank, the internal diameter of the high speed tubes being greater than that of the medium/low speed tubes, each of the cylinders being connected with a pair of the high speed tube and the medium/low speed tube, an intake manifold valve for selectively opening and closing the inlet openings of the high speed and medium/low speed tubes of the intake manifold, a valve guide attached to the inside surface of the surge tank for slidably guiding the intake manifold valve, and a drive means for driving the manifold valve device according to an engine running speed, whereby the air flows via the high speed tubes into the

Abstract: An intake system for internal combustion engines with multiple cylinders (10). The intake system includes a first distribution chamber (13), one separate inlet pipe (15a, 15b) for each engine cylinder, which inlet pipes extend between the first distribution chamber (13) and inlet valve/valves of the corresponding cylinders, and at least one second distribution chamber (16, 16a, 16b). This is connectable to each inlet pipe (15a, 15b) between said first chamber and the inlet valve via one corresponding passage, which can be opened by means of an operable throttle valve (19). Each second distribution chamber (16, 16a, 16b) is connected to the first distribution chamber (13) via at least one resonance pipe (14), the inlet of which to the second distribution chamber is openable by means of an additional throttle valve (17).

Abstract: A motor vehicle containing a two-cycle, crankcase compression, internal combustion engine having direct lubricating systems for supplying lubricant to the sliding surfaces of the piston and cylinder bore for each cylinder of the engine, separate pumps for delivering lubricant to the crankshaft bearings associated with each cylinder of the engine and a system for delivering lubricant to the engine for the remaining components through the induction system. The accessories for the engine including its induction and exhaust system are laid out so as to facilitate transverse front wheel drive mounting of the engine in the vehicle.

Abstract: An air-flow control device, for an engine having an intake passage and a fuel injector arranged in the intake passage for injecting fuel into the intake passage, includes an air-flow control valve, and a driving apparatus for driving the air-flow control valve. The air-flow control valve is arranged in the intake passage upstream of the fuel injector. The apparatus includes a first vacuum chamber into which the atmospheric pressure or a negative pressure produced in the intake passage downstream of the air-flow control valve is selectively introduced via a first vacuum control valve, and a second vacuum chamber into which the atmospheric pressure or a negative pressure produced in the intake passage downstream of the air-flow control valve is selectively introduced via a second vacuum control valve. The apparatus drives the air-flow control valve so that the degree of opening of the air-flow control valve becomes larger as the negative pressure in the first and the second vacuum chamber becomes larger.

Abstract: A control system is provided for an internal combustion engine which can stop the supply of fuel to some of its cylinders to perform part cylinder operation in a particular state of operation, The control system promptly stabilizes the engine speed after effecting switching between full cylinder operation and part cylinder operation and also stabilizes an idle speed with good responsibility by correcting the ignition timing. The control system calculates basic ignition timing, the difference between a smoothed engine speed and the engine speed, and an ignition timing correction amount corresponding to the difference at least in the course of the idling. The control system further includes an ignition timing correction control system for controlling the manner of operation of the calculation of the ignition timing correction amount upon at least one of the switching between the full cylinder operation and the part cylinder operation, and the part cylinder operation.

Abstract: A method of altitude compensation of exhaust gas recirculation in an intake manifold for an internal combustion engine includes the steps of calculating vacuum at sea level, calculating vacuum at present altitude of the engine, determining whether the calculated vacuum at sea level is equal to the calculated vacuum at present altitude, and correcting the exhaust gas recirculation in the intake manifold if the calculated vacuum at sea level does not equal the calculated vacuum at present altitude.

Abstract: A fuel injection control system suitable for use with internal combustion vehicle engines fueled by compressed natural gas or the like. A conventional liquid-fuel closed-loop injection timing controller establishes the desired fuel delivery rate which is then translated into value which controls the duration of each injection command signal. The rate-to-duration translation is performed by accessing stored values which specify the current operating characteristics of the injectors as determined by sensed fuel pressure, fuel temperature and injector actuation voltage values.

Abstract: A fuel injection amount control system for an internal combustion engine includes an ECU which calculates a desired amount of fuel to be supplied to each combustion chamber in response to operating conditions of the engine, and calculates values of parameters indicative of fuel adherence characteristics of the interior of the intake passage in response to operating conditions of the engine. The ECU further calculates a first fuel amount which is directly drawn into the combustion chamber from a fuel amount injected by the fuel injection valve, and a second amount of fuel which is carried off the wall surface of the intake passage due to evaporation and drawn into the combustion chamber, based upon the values of the parameters. The ECU calculates an injection amount of fuel to be injected, by correcting the desired fuel amount, based upon the first and second fuel amounts.

Abstract: A value for a quantity of fuel remaining in a fuel tank is stored when a key switch is switched off. Refueling while an engine is stopped is detected when a difference between a remaining fuel quantity value for when the key switch is switched on and the stored remaining fuel quantity value for when switched off is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion of the stored remaining fuel quantity value for when switched off. When refueling has been carried out, the fuel property is newly detected based on engine operating conditions, while when refueling has not been carried out, the fuel property is considered to be unchanged, and a fuel supply quantity is controlled in accordance with a fuel property for the previous time.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine that includes a fuel pump responsive to application of electrical power for delivering fuel under pressure to the engine. A pressure sensor supplies a pressure signal as a function of fuel pump output pressure. Electrical circuitry is responsive to the pressure signal for applying electrical power to the pump. A temperature sensor is operatively coupled to the circuitry for automatically varying the pump power signal to increase fuel pump output pressure when temperature at the temperature sensor exceeds preselected threshold temperature.

Abstract: A method of ventilating vapors from a fuel tank into an intake pipe of an internal combustion engine in the upper partial-load range and in the region of the full load on the internal combustion engine, a regeneration valve is first of all moved into an open position and a shut-off valve provided in a ventilating conduit of an adsorption filter is then closed. The fuel vapors then flow into the intake pipe by virtue of the intake pipe vacuum and assisted by the vapor pressure of the fuel in the fuel tank and then burned in at least one combustion space of the internal combustion engine. The method according to the invention for ventilating a fuel system is intended for use in motor vehicles.

Abstract: A first passage provided with a first valve for guiding vaporized fuel from a fuel tank into a canister, and a second passage provided with a second valve connecting this canister with an intake pipe downstream or a throttle, are provided. A pressure detecting mechanism is provided between this first valve and second valve, and a third valve is provided for leading fresh air into the canister. When the engine running condition satisfies a predetermined positive pressure test condition, the second and third valves are closed and the first valve is opened. In this state, the presence or absence of a leak is determined from the pressure detected by the pressure detecting mechanism. In other words, it is determined for example that the fuel tank has no leak if the pressure rises above a predetermined value.

Abstract: An improved fuel supply system (20), fuel tank (22 or 50), and fuel (30), whose use in small internal combustion engines provides greatly reduced emissions, longer engine life, reduced maintenance, higher reliability, and safety. These fuel tanks (22 or 50) are partially filled with a LPG fuel (30) and are also connectable to the fuel supply system (20) by a corresponding fuelling receptor (32 or 56). The fuel system (20) is itself comprised, in combination, of a fuelling receptor (32 or 56) which is then followed in series and in fuel flow communication by a fuel conduit (36), a fuel lock valve (38), another fuel conduit (40), a primary pressure regulator (42), still another fuel conduit (44), and finally a fuel-air mixer (46).

Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine, in particular a diesel internal combustion engine, having a fan for cooling at least the supercharger air, includes a drive device which drives the fan. The drive device can be controlled and/or regulated as a function of operating parameters of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a failure of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) apparatus includes an electronic control unit. When judging the fulfillment of the failure diagnosis executing condition, the electronic control unit stores the intake pressure detected by a pressure sensor, and then introduces part of the exhaust gas from an engine to an intake passage via an EGR passage to start the EGR for failure diagnosis. Thereafter, the intake pressure is detected again. If a significant change in intake pressure does not occur before and after the execution of the EGR for failure diagnosis, it is judged that the EGR apparatus is faulty.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for maintaining a substantially constant partial vacuum in the crankcase of an internal combustion engine. Maintaining the partial vacuum, in addition to essentially eliminating crankcase emissions, substantially reduced tailpipe emissions of carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons as evidenced by a test conducted according to California Air Research Board test method 505 (hot). The crankcase partial vacuum also has the added benefit of reducing the rate at which the engine lubricating oil was contaminated.

Abstract: A centrifugal oil separator assembly (36) mounts to the front cover (26) of an internal combustion engine (20) adjacent to the engine crankcase (34). The oil separator assembly (36) includes a first rotational member (42) that has turbo fan blades (52) and a second rotational member (56) that has centrifugal fan blades (60) and air seal grooves (66). A driven pulley (44) causes the oil separator assembly ( 36 ) to rotate. As it rotates, blowby gas is drawn through the centrifugal fan blades (60) where oil is separated from the gas and then through the turbo fan blades (52) which pushes the filtered gas into an air flow passage (28, 30) leading to the air intake system (31).

Abstract: A method of determining start of closed-loop fuel control for an internal combustion engine including the steps of determining a base fuel pulsewidth threshold, ascertaining whether a current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth is greater than or equal to the base fuel pulsewidth threshold, updating the current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth with a value of a previous accumulated base fuel pulsewidth plus the current base fuel pulsewidth if the current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth is not greater than or equal to the base fuel pulsewidth threshold, and beginning a closed loop fuel control of a plurality of fuel transferring components if the current accumulated base fuel pulsewidth is greater than or equal to the base fuel pulsewidth threshold.

Abstract: A malfunction detecting system for an internal combustion engine utilizes an air/fuel ratio feedback control loop. Namely, feedback factors #nKLAF operate to absorb the air/fuel ratio variance between cylinders and to converge the individual cylinders' air/fuel ratios to the confluence point air/fuel ratio, while another feedback factor KLAF operates to converge the confluence point air/fuel ratio to a desired air/fuel ratio, converging all cylinders' air/fuel ratios to the desired air/fuel ratio. With this arrangement, any of the feedback factors #nKLAF for a certain cylinder becomes a prescribed value, it can therefore be assumed that any abnormality would occur in a part such as the fuel injector which would affect the air/fuel ratio in the cylinder concerned.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane carburetor for an engine of a motor-driven chain saw. The membrane carburetor has a fuel-filled control chamber delimited by a control membrane. A throttle flap is mounted in an intake channel and a main nozzle opens into the intake channel upstream of the throttle flap. The main nozzle opening is connected to the control chamber via a fuel channel and a fixed nozzle limiting the inflowing fuel-mass flow. In order to make the mixture composition controllable, an air-supply channel opens into the fuel channel and a control valve is mounted in the air-supply channel. The control valve can be adjusted by a positioning device in dependence upon engine operating data. The positioning device is actuated by a control apparatus.

Abstract: A compressed gas powered gun for firing fragile projectiles includes a bolt assembly that will retract and not fracture a projectile when it gets hung up in the breech due to misalignment with the barrel. The bolt assembly includes a front section that will come in contact with the projectile and direct gas at same, a back section for securing the bolt assembly to the cocking mechanism of the gun, a rod extending from the front section and slidable within the rear section and a spring positioned between the front and back sections about the rod so that the front section will retract when coming in contact with a projectile hung up in the breech of the gun.

Abstract: A fireplace assembly of the type used as a room air heater comprises a second pane of glass in front of and spaced from the glass pane forming the front of the combustion chamber. The two panes form an air passageway for delivering intake air from an upper vent to the bottom of the combustion chamber. The intake air cools the panes of glass such that a relatively inexpensive glass material can be used and such that the front of the fireplace assembly is relatively cool to the touch.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing contact with heated areas of a cooking device is a three-dimensional frame having an upper and a lower perimeter, couplers to attach the frame to a cooking device, and connectors configured and positioned to prevent contact with the heated surfaces of a cooking device.

Abstract: A solar concentrator system, comprising a plurality of long metal foils with a reflective surface, longitudinally tensioned from both free ends by respective end moving frames with tensioning means, and supported by a plurality of uniformly spaced intermediate moving frames.Each moving frame has a respective driving crank, secured to a common bushing, mounted on a horizontal shaft, said shaft being secured to a respective support pedestal, a plurality of said support pedestals being secured to a common transverse beam, forming a common support structure.A solar concentrator module has a pair of end support structures with anchor means, and a plurality of uniformly spaced intermediate support structures with sliding means.Each of said end and intermediate support structures has driving means for driving said moving frames, thus forming a plurality of individual support and driving units.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering an amount of aerosolized medicine for inspiration by a patient in response to the occurrence of appropriate delivery point or points in the patient's detected breath flow. The aerosol medication may be administered as one or more pulses having a pulse width, shape, and frequency that will maximize the respirable fraction of the aerosolized compound being administered. The delivery point or points may be predetermined or determined from a prior inspiratory flow for depositing the selected medication at one or more desired locations in the patient's airway. Determined delivery points are recursively lowered for each inspiratory flow that does not satisfy one of the predetermined and previously lowered threshold.

Abstract: A manually operated dispenser for dispensing a predetermined amount of powdered substance comprises a pressure cylinder (2) with an axially displaceable piston (3). A super-atmospheric pressure is generated by displacing the piston inwardly in the cylinder and is releaved through a chamber (41) in a magazine (40) comprising a number of chambers (41) containing powdered substance. The ends of the chambers (41) are covered by penetrable membranes (48), and the chambers (41) may be moved to successively being in alignment with a penetrator (30) and an outlet pipe (46). When the piston (3) is in its inner-most position the penetrator (30) and the inlet end of the out-let pipe (46) are forced through the respective membranes (48) at the ends of the chamber (41), and the subatmospheric pressure is releaved through the chamber (41) to dispense its content through the outlet pipe (46).

Abstract: A dispenser provides pulmonary delivery of a powder dose to a subject. The dispenser is adapted to be brought into connection with an actuator which introduces an amount of a gas for dispensing the powder dose. The dispenser includes a chamber for receiving the powder dose and a valve for permitting passage of the powder dose only when the actuator introduces the gas into the dispenser. The powder dose is passed from the dispenser for pulmonary delivery to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention comprises both the method and an apparatus to cool persons in a hot environment. It does this by providing breathing air at a temperature that would not be easily tolerated by the skin without vascular constriction and a decoupling of the cooling process. It would provide air at temperatures sometimes 100.degree. F. or more below ambient temperatures allowing absorption of body heat to take place in the lungs.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a respiratory gas flow, comprising a gas collector unit (8), which separates an ambient gas space from that remaining inside the gas collector unit and in which a patient respires the gas contained in said gas collector unit. A conduit (7) flows a respiratory gas from one or more gas sources (1) into the gas collector unit (8) to be respired by a patient, and a conduit (14) delivers a respiratory gas, which at least partially contains a gas exhaled by a patient, from the gas collector unit (8) to a measuring device (13) for examination. The pressure difference between a gas space protected by the gas collected unit and a gas space existing outside it is indicated by a pressure-difference detecting element (17). A method for monitoring a respiratory gas flow compares the pressure of a respiratory gas existing inside the gas collector unit (8) with that prevailing outside the gas collector unit and adjust gas flows accordingly.

Abstract: The breathing of a patient is monitored with a movement sensor, taped to the abdomen of the patient, that produces an output signal indicative of the movement of the diaphragm of the patient. The rate of change of the output signal with time is determined. When the rate of change with time exceeds a preselected value, a ventilation of the lungs of the patient by an external ventilator is initiated.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for assisting with the ventilation of a ient, which includes a source (10) of pressurized gas, a transmission circuit including a main inhalation conduit (14) connected to a mask (19) worn by the patient (20), and a secondary exhalation conduit (28), a flow regulating valve (16), and an exhalation valve (30), characterized in that the regulating valve (16) includes means (52) for maintaining a residual flowrate under a reduced pressure in the main inhalation conduit (14) during each exhalation phase.

Abstract: A pressure regulating unit for supplying a pressurized fluid, especially breathing gas, to a user, which unit comprises a pressure regulator (3, 22-29) and a switching means (1, 9, 10, 13-20) for controlling the fluid supply from a preferential supply line (6) and an alternative supply line (8) to a common outlet (12) from the unit. The unit comprises a first chamber (13) which is in open connection (16) with the preferential supply line (6), and which contains a spring-actuated first sensing diaphragm (14) sensing the pressure in the preferential line (6) and being operatively connected to and driving the valve means (9, 10, 17-20).

Abstract: An exothermic, hydratable fuel mixture for a self-heating food container comprises particles of a base such as lime and an acid such as oxalic acid. When water is added to the mixture, exothermic heat is generated by hydration of the lime and neutralization reaction between the lime and the acid. Mixtures of bases and mixtures of acids can be used to optimize the heating characteristics of the fuel mixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measuring dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in body fluids. The method can be used to measure DIC in blood, serum, plasma, urine, sweat, saliva, lacrimal fluid, and combinations thereof. The method can be used to diagnose a gastrointestinal disorder in a subject, and particularly a gastrointestinal disorder mediated by a urease producing bacterium such as Helicobacter priori.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a health care system for specifying edibles to individual subjects. The personalized method and system for storage, communication, analysis and processing of health-related data comprises a storage containing data relating to health and edibles and is adapted to receive data on the conditions and characteristics of the individual subjects. The health care system further comprises input terminals adapted to be coupled to the storage means for providing data on the conditions and characteristics of the individual subjects, and a health computer for correlating the data relating to health and edibles with the data on the condition and characteristics of an individual subject to provide a personalized prescription of edibles.

Abstract: A non-invasive method and apparatus for sensing relative blood conditions in extremities, such as using photoelectric dermachromography to measure differential blood flow and/or pooling between extremities, for the purpose of diagnosing cardiovascular conditions. Reflective colorimeters are employed for performing comparative light reflection rheology (LRR). The resting, steady-state LRR for both the left and right palms are simultaneously measured when both arms are in a raised, steady-state condition, and again when both arms are in a lowered, steady-state condition, thereby providing a repeatable measurement of overall vasomotor tone, the tone of the smooth muscles of the arterial walls. Two portable light gauges are used, each including a plurality of light sources such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged around at least one light detector. Each gauge is removably attachable to the palms of the hands of the patient whose vasomotor tone is to be determined.

Abstract: A new model autocorrelation function is provided to which autocorrelation data is fit. The model function is empirically derived based on previously collected autocorrelation data and is indicative of the degree of cataractogenesis. The model autocorrelation function contains five parameters to characterize first and second portions of a fitted curve. In one embodiment, the model autocorrelation function has a single exponential and a single second order polynomial component to represent the first and second portions of the fitted curve, respectively. In an alternative form, the square root of the autocorrelation function is used as the model with the square root form being linear in four of five terms. The linearity in four of five terms permits the fitting of the data points to the model function using simple linear regression analysis. Other forms of mathematical models, such as a straight line first portion and a parabolic second portion may use five parameters to model the autocorrelation data.

Abstract: A self-contained apparatus is for use during imaging of a shoulder joint or hip joint of a patient, with the patient lying on an imaging table or other support movable into and out of a primary imaging coil. The apparatus includes an index mechanism having an index member lockable in any selected one of a plurality of sequential index positions. Table attachment means connects the index mechanism with the table for sliding movement with the table. A cuff support member is connected with the index member for movement with the index member. A cuff supported on the cuff support member at a location remote from the index member for clamping onto the patient's arm or leg. The cuff is connected with the support member for movement with the support member and with the index member and is lockable with the index member in any selected one of the plurality of sequential spaced index positions.

Abstract: A single turn, asymmetric solenoidal coil for imaging the hand and wrist of a human subject. The asymmetric shape of the coil allows for uniform RF field energy to be distributed along the hand and wrist of the subject. The shape of the coil is maintained by a hollow, elongated member of dielectric material. A complementary pair of foils are attached to the outer surface of the hollow, dielectric member. The foils are separated by axial gaps and electrically coupled to each other by capacitors disposed along the length of each gap.

Abstract: A connector is provided for preventing damage to contacts between components of an electrical system which is particularly useful when electrical energy is stored in at least one of the components. The connector includes a mechanically operated latching member for activating and deactivating an electrical interface between the components. In one embodiment, a sensor determines when the connector is being disconnected from one of the components and provides a signal used by one of the components for disabling a power source providing the energy. In another embodiment, the sensor derived disconnect signal controls dissipating the stored energy away from the contacts between the components before the contacts are physically disengaged.

Abstract: From a single material of unpolarized piezoelectric transducer, cut away are a piezoelectric transducer for fabrication of a probe and a piezoelectric transducer for observation of polarization states. Both the piezoelectric transducer for fabrication of a probe and the piezoelectric transducer for observation of polarization states are simultaneously subjected to the polarization processing (or depolarization processing) while observing polarization states of the piezoelectric transducer for observation of polarization states.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sterile packaging which considerably reduces the risk of contamination of a part which is in contact with an area on a patient's body, and which can be exposed to the risk of infection. More specifically, the invention has a replaceable air cushion unit for use in conjunction with a femoral compressor, which includes a base plate, an inflatable air cushion having a periphery attached to the base plate and a shielding element covering and sealing the air cushion from ambient surroundings. The base plate is also detachable from the femoral compressor after use.

Abstract: A blood pressure monitoring system having a blood pressure cuff, an air pump applying pressurized air to the cuff; a valve to selectively vent the cuff, and a pressure transducer generating a signal indicative of the pressure in the cuff corresponding to an occlusive pressure exerted by the cuff on an artery and a transient fluid pressure in the cuff indicative of the amplitude of an oscillometric pulse. An analog-to-digital converter connected to the transducer samples the output of the transducer and generates respective digital samples corresponding to the output of the transducer. A processor receives the respective digital samples corresponding to the signal indicative of the steady state fluid pressure in the cuff and the signal corresponding to the amplitude of the oscillometric pulses. The processor also records in a table the steady state fluid pressure at which each measurement is made and the amplitude of the peak oscillometric pulses at such pressure.